Top 20 Prospects: Oakland Athletics (1/16/2009)
Summary
Oakland boasts one of the deepest and most talented farm systems in baseball,
highlighted by one of the top right-left combos in the Minors – Trevor
Cahill (1) and Brett Anderson (2). With plenty of high-ceiling talent and
burgeoning redundancies, Oakland will likely deal from some of their areas of
strength as they gear-up for a run at the Major League level, most likely in
2010. While much of the talent has been brought in through trade
(Haren/Harden/Swisher), the A’s were able to nab some quality youngsters in
this past Rule 4 draft, including a potential bargain in seventh rounder
Brett Hunter (20). Oakland looks to have a Top 5 farm system and some good
young talent already in place with the Big Club. With a handful of prospects
ready to contribute over the next season or two, the future is bright.
===============================================================================
1. Trevor Cahill | Stats | Depot Grade: A
6-3 / 195 | Age - 20 | RHP | B/T - R/R | Drafted - 2006 (R2) | Vista HS (CA)
Floor: Back-end Starter | Ceiling: Front-end Starter | Projection: #1 Starter
Notes: Cahill is the complete package -- stuff, pitchability, durability and
deception. He pitches primarily off of a low-90s sinker with plus-armside
run. His curveball is a tight 1/7-breaker with above-average depth. He can
throw it for a strike or use it as an effective chase pitch. His slider is
yet another above-average offering with a hard, late break. Like the curve,
he uses his slider both as a strike pitch and a chase pitch. All three of
these offerings can be swing-and-miss pitches and he has shown a good feel
for each, as well as an understanding of how and when to use them -- an
impressive attribute, particularly for a twenty year old. His changeup is a
fringe-average pitch, but he throws it with a solid arm action and it flashes
above-average depth. With a solid pitcher's frame and a solid minor league
track record already behind him, Cahill has firmly established himself as one
of the top starters in all of Minor League Baseball. An eventful 2008 saw him
enjoy incredible success at HiA Stockton and AA Midland, as well as a
Future's Game appearance and a trip to Bejing with USA Baseball. It wil be
tough to top that in 2009, but there are undoubtedly great things ahead the
young right-hander. He could start the season back with Midland or make the
jump to AAA Sacremento. Either way, he's not far off from lacing up some
bright white spikes.
2. Brett Anderson | Stats | Depot Grade: A-
6-4 / 215 | Age - 20 | LHP | B/T - L/L | Drafted - 2006 (R2) | Stillwater HS
(OK)
Floor: Back-end Starter | Ceiling: Front-end Starter | Projection: #2 Starter
Notes: Anderson is the second-half of one the best left/right combos in the
Minors. The talented lefty boasts four potential above-average pitches and he
commands them all. His fastball lacks the life of Cahill's, but he's able to
command the low-90s offering effectively to all four quadrants. Also like
Cahil, he can use his curveball and his slider both as strikes and as chase
pitches. His changeup flashes plus with good depth and excellent command down
in the zone. While Anderson's arsenal isn't quite as electric as Cahill's, he
may be more Major League ready right now. He has a smooth, easy and
repeatable motion and an advanced approach on the mound. He is already adept
at game-planning and his ability to read hitters and adjust should help him
in his eventual jump to the Majors. He is also known for being one of the
more difficult pitchers to run against. Anderson and Cahill should each be up
for good no later than 2010, though each could see time in Oakland this year.
3. Michael Inoa | Stats - N/A | Depot Grade: B+
6-7 / 210 | Age - 17 | RHP | B/T - R/R | Sogned - 2008 | Dominican Republic
Floor: Non-prospect | Ceiling: Front-end Starter | Projection: #3 Starter
Notes: Inoa has incredible projection in his 6-7 frame and unusual
athelticism and body control. At the time he was signed by Oakland, at age
16, he was already in possession of a low-90s fastball with some life and a
curveball that flashes plus-depth. Most importantly, he already shows very
good feel for his breaking ball and even his third offering -- a
fringe-average split-change that projects to above-average. It's rare to hear
such rave reviews as to command with a teenager Inoa's age, let alone one his
size. With his impressive body control, repeatable delivery and room to add
strength, Inoa could see his fastball velocity jump to the mid-90s over the
next few seasons. If he's able to stay healthy and continue to develop his
secondary stuff, Inoa could be another front-end starter in the making. As
polished as he is for his age, he's still several seasons away from competing
at the upper-levels. He's sure to be one of the most closely watched
minor-leaguers during that time.
4. Aaron Cunningham | Stats | Depot Grade: B
5-11 / 195 | Age - 22 | OF | B/T - R/R | Drafted - 2005 (R6) | Everett CC (WA)
Floor: 4th OF | Ceiling: Above-AVG RF | Projection: AVG RF
Notes: Cunningham enjoyed a monster season between AA Midland, AAA Sacramento
and ML Oakland, hitting for both average and power. At the plate, Cunningham
was a little over-agressive at times at Midland, somewhat limiting his
ability to fully tap into is above-average raw power. Still, he showed an
ability to square-up with regularity. Defensively, Cunningham has more than
enough arm for right field and enough foot-speed to fill-in in center field
in a pinch. He tracks the ball well and sets himself up well on his throws.
After an impressive 2008, Cunningham is looking more and more like he could
reach his ceiling of an above-average right-fielder. He'll compete for a
starting role this Spring and could be one of the key bats on an exciting
young Okland squad.
5. Gio Gonzalez | Stats | Depot Grade: B
5-11 / 185 | Age - 23 | LHP | B/T - R/L | Drafter - 2004 (1s) | Miami HS (FL)
Floor: Back-end Starter | Ceiling: Front-end Starter | Projection: #3 Starter
Notes: Gonzalez made his first appearance in the Majors the past season,
logging 34 innings in Oakland with poor results. He nibbled a bit too much
and failed to command his offerings, getting himself into regular trouble.
Even through his struggles his stuff was apparent. His fastball is a low-90s
offering that he can occasionally dial-up to the mid-90s and he flashes
above-average boring action on the pitch. His curveball is an above-average
2-planer that he uses as his primary out pitch. He can bury it or throw it
for strikes, though he was inconsistent with his command last season. His
changeup is a fringe-average pitch with minimal fade. In order to reach his
ceiling as a #2 starter he needs to improve his command across the board and
find more consistency with his change.
6. Adrian Cardenas | Stats | Depot Grade: B
5-11 / 190 | Age - 21 | 2B/SS | B/T - L/R | Drafted - 2006 (R1s) | Miami HS
(FL)
Floor: Below-AVG 2B | Ceiling: Above-AVG 2B | Projection: AVG 2B
Notes: Cardenas came over to AA Midland as part of the Joe Blanton trade this
past Summer. Oakland immediately shifted him over to shorstop with adequate
results. Cardenas is a capable defender up-the-middle and has more than
enough arm for third should he be shifted there down the line. At th plate
Cardenas comes with an advanced approach and solid strikezone command. He has
some leverage in his swing and generates good backspin and loft, leading to
potential above-average power from a middle-infielder. He squares-up well
keeping a short path to the ball. It's unclear if Oakland will continue to
run him out at short, as second seems like the better fit based on his range.
He handles himself well around the bag and is adequate on both ends of the
double-play.
7. Jemile Weeks | Stats | Depot Grade: B
5-10 / 175 | Age - 21 | 2B | B/T - B/R | Drafted - 2008 (R1) | University of
Miami (FL)
Floor: Below-AVG 2B | Ceiling: Above-AVG 2B | Projection: AVG 2B
Notes: Weeks was part of a large and talented group of 2008 draftees hailing
from “The U”. Offensively advanced, Weeks has quick hands that accelerate
well through the zone and help him to produce solid average power. He
commands the strikezone well and shows strong on-base skills across the
board. He profiles as a top-of-the-order and should move quickly through the
system. Defensively, Weeks should have no trouble sticking at second, though
right now he profiles as merely average. He shows good footwork around the
bag and sets himself up well for his throws all across the right side. He
needs to improve his lines to the ball and continue to develop his hands. If
he can improve defensively his stock could rise.
8. Cliff Pennington | Stats | Depot Grade: B-
5-11 / 185 | Age - 24 | SS/2B | B/T - R/R | Drafted - 2005 (R1) | Texas A&M
University
Floor: UTL | Ceiling: Above-AVG 2B | Projection: AVG SS
Notes: After a so-so start at AA Midland, Pennington saw a bump in his
production once switching to the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League.
Offensively, Pennington’s best skill is his ability to work the count and
control the strikezone. He lacks power, but is capable of putting the head of
the bat to the ball consistently, and he has improved at using the whole
field. Defensively, Pennington can handle any of the infield positions,
though Oakland has played him primarily at short. He’s solid around the bag
and moves well enough to both sides at short (though his range profiles
better at second base).
9. Chris Carter | Stats | Depot Grade: B-
6-4 / 210 | Age - 22 | 1B | B/T - R/R | Drafted - 2005 (R15) | Las Vegas HS
(NV)
Floor: AAAA | Ceiling: Above-AVG 1B | Projection: AVG DH
Notes: Carter is a legit thumper whose plus-plus-power may be limited
somewhat by his contact rate and strikezone command (though he improved upon
each in 2008). Unlikely to add much value in the field, Carter will progress
as far and as quickly as his bat will take him. AA Midland should provide a
solid test for Carter, whose swing can get long at times. If he can continue
to succeed against more advanced pitching his value could rapidly increase.
It would also be helpful if he could improve his defense. Oakland tried him
at third, first and right in 2008, though he wasn’t particularly impressive
at any of the three. Right now, he most likely profiles as a DH.
10. Henry Rodriguez | Stats | Depot Grade: B-
6-1 / 175 | Age - 21 | RHP | B/T - R/R | Signed - 2003 | Venezuela
Floor: AAAA | Ceiling: Front-end Starter | Projection: Late-inning Relief
Notes: Rodriguez was one of four Oakland prospects to partake in the Future’
s Game at Yankee Stadium in 2008. His upper-90s fastball is explosive with
lots of late life, and he throws with a lot of effort. Rodriguez began the
season blowing away hitters at HiA Stockton before being promoted to AA
Midland and struggling to get control of his arsenal. His secondary stuff is
unrefined and he lacks command with all of his offerings. Rodriguez likely
profiles as a reliever where his power stuff could play-up in the late
innings.
11. Sean Doolittle | Stats | Depot Grade: B-
6-3 / 190 | Age - 22 | 1B | B/T - L/L | Drafted - 2007 (R1s) | University of
Virginia
Floor: Below-AVG 1B | Ceiling: Above-AVG LF | Projection: AVG 1B
Notes: The former UVA Cavalier enjoyed a breakout at HiA Stockton before
fading a bit in the second half after a promotion to AA Midland. Doolittle
has a solid approach at the plate and has continued to refine his plate
discipline and strikezone command. He should hit for average and potentially
hit for average- to above-average-power, depending on whether he can reign in
his swing a bit. Doolittle tends to tap into his power by muscling-up at the
plate, rather than letting it come naturally. This could limit his success at
the upper-levels where he’ll be challenged more frequently. Defensively,
Doolittle may be athletic enough to play in the outfield (Oakland has already
started giving him reps in the corners). If he needs to cut down on his “
muscling-up”, his bat would profile better at a COF spot, where he could
grow into an average defender.
12. Jason Christian | Stats | Depot Grade: B-
6-3 / 170 | Age - 21 | SS | B/T - L/R | Drafted - 2008 (R5) | University of
Michigan
Floor: AAAA | Ceiling: Above-AVG SS | Projection: AVG SS
Notes: Christian showed a solid approach and quick hands in his first
professional season (split between Vancouver and Kane County). His bat speed
should allow him to let the ball travel fairly deep before starting his
swing, which should aid in improving his pitch-ID (which was fringy this
season and could be problematic at the upper-levels). Defensively, Christian
is a plus-defender with smooth motions at short. He could provide value at
the Major League level, even if he doesn’t fully develop offensively.
13. Josh Outman | Stats | Depot Grade: B-
6-1 / 190 | Age - 24 | LHP | B/T - L/L | Drafted - 2005 (R10) | Central
Missouri State University
Floor: Bullpen | Ceiling: Mid-rotation Starter | Projection: #4 Starter
Notes: Outman came over to the Oakland organization from Philadelphia in the
Joe Blanton trade last summer. The lefty sits in the low-90s with his
fastball and the low-80s with a hard slider with late bite. His high-effort
delivery and two-pitch mix could play well in the pen, but his changeup is
progressing enough for Oakland to continue running him out there as a
starter. There is some deception in his delivery, which helps his stuff to
play-up across the board. He needs to improve his command and his changeup if
he hopes to reach his mid-rotation ceiling.
14. Fautino De los Santos | Stats | Depot Grade: B-
6-0 / 205 | Age - 22 | RHP | B/T - R/R | Signed - 2006 | Dominican Republic
Floor: AAAA | Ceiling: Front-end Starter | Projection: #3 Starter
Notes: De los Santos only managed five games in 2008 before being shut down
for the season to undergo Tommy John surgery. When healthy, the righty has
legit front-end stuff, highlighted by a mid- to upper-90s four-seamer and a
low- to mid-90s two-seamer with hard, boring action. His slider is a wipeout
pitch with plus-depth and his curveball flashes plus from time to time, as
well. Since his changeup is still fringy, his curve frequently serves as a
change-of-pace pitch. De los Santos displayed excellent pitchability and
should be a solid candidate for recovery after the surgery. He has some stuff
to spare and should still profile as a starter, if healthy. If shifted to the
pen, he could be a dominant reliever.
15. Sam Demel | Stats | Depot Grade: B-
6-0 / 210 | Age - 23 | RHP | B/T - R/R | Drafted - 2007 (R3) | Texas
Christian University
Floor: AAAA | Ceiling: Closer | Projection: Late-inning Relief
Notes: Demel sits in the low-90s with his fastball, showing above-average
armside run. His slider is a low-80s offering with late bite and
above-average depth. He doesn’t yet command his changeup, though he has
worked to repeat his mechanics and has shown more consistency in all of his
pitches. At times, he still catches too much of the plate – an issue in
particular if he isn’t able to throw his offspeed for strikes. With improved
command, he could be a valuable late-inning arm.
16. Corey Brown | Stats | Depot Grade: B-
6-2/ 210 | Age - 23 | OF | B/T - L/L | Drafted - 2007 (R1) | Oklahoma State
University
Floor: AAAA | Ceiling: Above-AVG RF | Projection: 4th OF
Notes: After slumping heavily in July, Brown went on a tear in August,
finishing 2008 on a positive note. Brown has big-time power and is capable of
hitting the ball out to all fields. He still strikes-out way too much and has
struggled with his plate discipline and pitch-ID. Defensively, he has more
than enough arm for center field, though he doesn’t set himself up well for
his throws, hurting his accuracy. His routes are average but could stand
improvement. He’ll likely be tested at AA Midland in 2009, where we should
get a better idea as to whether or not he’ll make enough contact for his
power to continue to play.
17. Vin Mazzaro | Stats | Depot Grade: C+
6-2 / 190 | Age - 22 | RHP | B/T - R/R | Drafted - 2005 (R3) | Rutherford HS
(NJ)
Floor: AAAA | Ceiling: Mid-rotation Starter | Projection: Middle-relief
Notes: Mazzaro had a solid season at AA Midland before getting roughed-up in
30+ innings at AAA Sacramento. While his success in 2008 is encouraging, it’
s worth noting that opponents’ BABIP at AA Midland was close to 40-points
lower than Mazzaro’s career line. Part of this may be due to improved
command over his sinker – an upper-80s to low-90s offering. His stuff is
still fairly ordinary across the board, though. His changeup is inconsistent
and flat at times. He mixes-in a hard curveball with inconsistent shape and
depth, making it a fringe-average offering. Mazzaro needs to continue to
improve his command across the board to succeed as a starter at the Major
League level. If not, he could be a useful arm in the bullpen.
18. Rashun Dixon | Stats | Depot Grade: C+
6-2 / 210 | Age - 18 | OF | B/T - R/R | Drafter - 2008 (R10) | Terry HS (MS)
Floor: Non-prospect | Ceiling: Above-AVG CF | Projection: AVG CF
Notes: Dixon enjoyed a fine first season in the Arizona League, showcasing
each of his five-tools and demonstrating good growth throughout the season.
His above-average raw power should continue to develop as he refines his
plate discipline and pitch-ID. He has the speed and instincts to be an
above-average defender in center field with plenty of arm. A legit
five-tooler, Dixon is raw but should be entertaining to watch in 2009. He
could go to extended Spring Training before getting a shot at Short-season
Vancouver.
19. James Simmons | Stats | Depot Grade: C+
6-4 / 220 | Age - 22 | RHP | B/T - R/R | Drafted - 2007 (R1) | University of
California - Riverside
Floor: Bullpen | Ceiling: Mid-rotation Starter | Projection: #4 Starter
Notes: Simmons’s arsenal is merely average, forcing him to rely on command
and pitchability. In his first full season of starting at AA Midland, he
yielded a line-drive of outfield fly 56.6% of the time – a stat that will
likely catch-up with him in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League. His
fastball generally sits in the upper-80s with good natural sink. His
curveball and slider are inconsistent pitches. He tends to hang his curveball
and his slider saucers. His best secondary offering is a plus-changeup that
he throws with a solid arm action and slot. His advanced command should help
him stay a starter, but his stuff will likely play better out of the pen. His
boring fastball/changeup combo could play-up in relief.
20. Brett Hunter | Stats | Depot Grade: C+
6-4 / 215 | Age - 21 | RHP | B/T - R/R | Drafted - 2008 (7) | Pepperdine
University
Floor: Bullpen | Ceiling: Closer | Projection: Middle-relief
Notes: Hunter has an electric arm, though his velocity was inconsistent
throughout 2008 (he missed a large portion of his final college season due to
arm soreness). His fastball ranges from the mid- to upper-90s when healthy
and has plus-late life. His best secondary offering is a power
downer-curveball with plus-depth that sits right around 80 mph, though he can
add and subtract velocity. His changeup is fringy and he doesn’t show great
feel for the pitch. He struggles to repeat his unorthodox, high-effort
delivery, making the bullpen a likely destination. Oakland will likely keep
him in a Minor League rotation to make sure he gets in his innings, and there
is still certainly an outside shot that he could stick as a starter. Either
way, Hunter is a solid high-risk/high-reward gamble in the seventh round.
===============================================================================
10 More Prospects to Watch :
Dusty Coleman
Matt Spencer
Craig Italiano
Tyson Ross
Matt Sulentic
Josh Horton
Daniel Thomas
Jerry Blevins
Andrew Carignan
Josh Donaldson
Organizational Leaders:
Hitting – Aaron Cunningham
Power – Chris Carter
Defense – Gregorio Petit
RHSP – Trevor Cahill
LHSP – Brett Anderson
Future RP – Henry Rodriguez
2009 Breakout Candidates:
Pitcher - Daniel Thomas
Hitter – Rashun Dixon
Bounce-back Candidate:
Grant Desme
--
※ 發信站: 批踢踢實業坊(ptt.cc)
◆ From: 140.112.5.3
推
01/20 03:13, , 1F
01/20 03:13, 1F
→
01/20 03:14, , 2F
01/20 03:14, 2F
Athletics 近期熱門文章
PTT體育區 即時熱門文章
